Mental Health at Emory

By: Anonymous Rollins Student

While I adore this blog for gaining insights on the latest places to visit and restaurants to try; I want to share with you other services and resources that may be of interest to you.

The media is slowly beginning to talk about mental health, which hopefully will reduce the stigma in time. For years, I struggled with mental health but only began getting help in college. I had been diagnosed with general anxiety from OCD, and chronic depression. The summer before I started at Rollins I realized I was no longer feeling “good” or even “okay”. But I considered it to just be nerves about the big change that was coming in my life! I was moving to a new part of the country away from my family and friends. I doubted my own feelings knowing I was about to begin classes at my dream school. However, as the school year started and classes got into full swing, I realized my anxiety and depression were harming my education. I came to Rollins because of the incredible opportunities they offer students. But I wasn’t taking advantage of these opportunities, because most days I didn’t make it to class, and if I did, I was typically late.

The worst part was, as I crept deeper into this major depressive episode, I couldn’t even find the strength to research new doctors to go to. After all, I was in a new city far from my therapist and psychiatrist. One day I heard about the Counseling and Psychological Services more commonly referred to as CAPS at Emory. I knew I couldn’t let my time at Rollins go to waste. I needed something to change because I was sick of feeling sick. CAPS quickly scheduled me in for an initial assessment to determined what therapist/psychologist at Emory would be the best fit for me. Within a few weeks I started therapy at CAPS, a free service available to all students. Thankfully the psychologist I worked with helped me realize I needed to see a psychiatrist. Luckily I am still on my parent’s insurance, however, had I needed help finding a doctor, CAPS provides referral assistance too. After going to the psychiatrist, I learned that the medication I had been on for years is known to cause major depressive episodes if used at a high-dose for a prolonged period. As I write this in March, I have finally transitioned medications, and look forward to seeing a change (in the next 4-6 weeks) J. If not for CAPS, I probably would have never made that doctor’s appointment to get my medicine changed.

CAPS assistance is not only for students with mental health concerns. They also work with students to provide guidance for stress management, body image and disordered eating, suicide, and many other concerns students face. Furthermore, CAPS is a calm environment where you can color while waiting for your session or read about group sessions and other services available to help you. All of the staff is incredibly friendly, so even if you are not feeling your best, they try to ensure a comfortable and safe environment.

As you begin your transition to graduate school remember Emory has many services available for you. Below you will find contact information on these various resources Emory offers.

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
  
• Student Success Programs and Services
  
• Student Health Services Psychiatry
  
• Office of Health Promotions
  
• Emory Psychological Center
  
• Office of Spiritual and Religious Life
  
• The Emory HelpLine: An anonymous, confidential, peer telephone hotline (available 8:30 PM-1 AM, 7 days per week during the academic year): (404) 727-4357.

• The Interactive Screening Program (ISP): An on-line, anonymous screening for stress and depression (available 24/7). Please note that in order to ensure that only Emory students take the screening, students will first be asked to provide their Emory net ID and password. This will in NO WAY be linked to their responses on the screening.  All respondents will receive a personalized response from a CAPS provider. 

• For mental health crises outside of these hours [M-F, 8:30-3:30], students may contact:
  • Emory Student Intervention Services (SIS) Team at (404) 430-1120
  • Georgia Crisis & Access Line at (800) 715-422
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255
  • National Crisis Text Line at 741 741
  • Emory University Hospital Emergency Department at 1364 Clifton Road or (404) 712-7100
  • Dekalb Medical Center Emergency Department at 2701 N. Decatur Road or (404) 501-1000